C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 4 81
on television, which made over $4 million the
first year. This decade also introduced the Hula
Hoop, and in 1959 the Barbie doll.
The evolution of toys was directly influenced
by economy, technology, politics, television and
film. Viewed through this historical lens, it is easy
to see why the rich legacy of toys are appreciat-
ed now more than ever.
Toys have helped develop our imagination
and our spirit while encouraging young minds.
Some are tugged by nostalgia. The successful
ones embrace perpetually good memories as
our best friends. Some are primal-perfect time
capsules, while others are the thread that con-
nects our collective conscience. All are testa-
ments to their historical roots, which are rich
and deserve to be celebrated, as the best ones
never die.
I can still recall my sister hugging her tear-
stained floppy dog that helped her through sad
times and she still has some of our "Classic Fairy
Tale" books as a reminder of rainy days and mag-
ical carpets that swept us away to our imaginary
moments made real.
Marjorie Snow is a published writer and pho-
tographer with a vast knowledge of antiques and
their histor y. Snow was the owner of Terra Cotta
in Las Vegas, an exclusive architectural vintage
galler y, which was featured in numerous West
Coast magazines.
(Top left) Early Halloween pulp JOLs, tin noisemakers, masks and skull candles. (Right) Carnival chalk figures,
Steiff monkey, tin windup animals, cars and airplane of the 1920s to 1940s era. (Bottom) Lead British soldiers.
Photos:
Marjorie
Snow